2nd Deputy Minister Kang Dohyeon Testifies at the Full Meeting of the Science and ICT Committee on the 2nd
StageX CEO Emphasizes "Feasibility of Business Secured"
Kang Dohyun, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated regarding the frequency allocation requirements for the 4th mobile carrier, "Financial capability is an institutional issue that needs to be re-examined and supplemented."
At the full meeting of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee held on the afternoon of the 2nd, when Park Chungkwon, a member of the People Power Party, asked, "There is a conflict regarding whether financial capability is reviewed between the ministry and operators. Shouldn't the procedure be improved?" Vice Minister Kang responded as follows.
In response to Park's question, "There are also criticisms that about 400 billion KRW in tax support increased participation by poorly performing operators," Vice Minister Kang explained, "There has been a policy finance announcement to reduce the burden of financial capability," adding, "If applicants apply, they are evaluated in various ways."
Seo Sangwon, CEO of StageX, said that business viability can be sufficiently secured with the 28 GHz frequency band. Seo stated, "Since nationwide roaming is required, we aimed to secure cost competitiveness for roaming by providing services based on technology and innovation investments."
He continued, "There is also cost competitiveness that can be gained based on the consortium including Stage Five, Yanolja, Douzone Bizon, and Shinhan Investment Corp," adding, "There is also the possibility of utilizing the network based on enterprises through cooperation with Douzone Bizon, the No.1 company in business-to-business (B2B) services."
In response to Lee Junseok, a member of the Reform New Party, asking, "Why was competitiveness not secured during the MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) era?" Seo replied, "At that time, there was no opportunity for facility investment," and added, "Through the Ministry of Science and ICT's sandbox regulatory innovation, we provided a service that allows one-stop online activation."
On this day, Seo emphasized that he clearly specified the capital procurement plan by directly showing the frequency usage plan. Seo said, "We submitted it specifying that investment will be made once the (frequency) license and allocation are granted," adding, "The financial plans such as paying the frequency fees were stated not as capital attraction but as something that can be implemented according to the investment plan."
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